By Abiola Olawale
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos state, on Saturday granted an order forfeiting properties linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
The presiding judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke also held that the properties valued at over N11,140,000,000.00 (billion) and N1.04 billion be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Aneke granted the order of final forfeiture following a motion filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Legal counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
During court proceedings, Oyedepo had submitted that Emefiele was suspected of having bought the choice properties by proxy, with the proceeds of fraud
The EFCC named two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
The trio, according to the affidavit filed in support of the application, are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde, a former CBN staff and others.
The properties were listed by the EFCC in two schedules, A and B.
The judge said: “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
They include shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse.
For Schedule B, Justice Aneke added: “That a final forfeiture order of this Honourable Court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule B herein which properties were traced to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The properties include lands and apartments which were paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04 billion.
According to the affidavit, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde “used their positions and Influence as CBN staff to secure retail and Special allocation of Foreign Exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks.
“That OLUBUNMI MAKINDE is the link between OBAYEMI OLUWASEUN TEBEN and AKOMOLAFE ADEBAYO and the various companies applying for the purchase of foreign exchange.
“That OBAYEMI OLUWASEUN TEBEN and AKOMOLAFE ADEBAYO as staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria have access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who have applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”
It would be recalled that Emefiele has been facing stormy waters and is being tried for alleged abuse of office and fraud to the tune of $4.5bn and N2.8bn.
EFCC slammed a 26-count charge against Emefiele and one of his allies, Omole. The charge, marked ID/23787c/2024, dated April 3, 2024, was filed by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
EFCC alleged that Emefiele committed abuse of office between 2022 and 2023, in Lagos, of abuse of office.
